William provines



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

WILLIAM PROVINES, OF` COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

UTERINE SUPPORTER.

Speccation of Letters Patent No. 15,897, dated October 14, 1856.

, ness, this bag is to be made of india rubber or other substance or substances having the properties of impermeability and pliancy so that when inated it will retain air and constitute a cushion or supporter, the opening in which is secured by a mouth piece made as follows: The mouthpiece (Figure 2) is composed of two' tubes or short cylinders having to one end of each aliXed a convex or trumpet shaped disk, these tubes are placed one within the other and held in position by means of a screw cut in each (male and female). The female tube and disk are placed within the bag, the disk immediately behind the margin of the opening; into this is inserted the maletube, the disk of which remains outside the bag. When `these tubes are screwed tightly together, the margin of the opening in the bag is secured between the two disks or plates a'nd made air tight.

Figs. 1 and 2. To complete the mouthpiece a valve Fig. 2 is so placed as to secure the opening in the male tube inside at or near the top, making it also air tight. The outer plate Fig. l is provided with a notch on each side of the opening to receive two corresponding projections on the point of the syringe or elastic tube; these serve to hold the instrument (supporter)` steady while receiving the air.

Method of using-The supporter in a flacid state is placed 'in position' and readily inflated to any required degree of tension by means of a flexible tube or syringe, through which the air may be forced into it, Fig. 2.,. The valve inside will in either case retain the air. The instrument may be removed at pleasure by introducing a blunt point into the external opening in the mouth -piece a suiiicient distance to raise the valve and suffer the air to escape. This'opening will be readily found, being retained in position by the greater weight of the mouthpiece.

Advantages-This instrument is easy of application and removal, renders local medication easy, is very adj ustable, and will furnish an easy elastic support promotive of comfort to the wearer.

I claim- The combination ofthe ball and the valve apparatus described in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

WILLIAM PROVINES.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. FIELD. 

